Monday, December 28, 2009

You may have a question about organizing your closet or kitchen, perhaps not sure how to purge your garage or basement, or maybe you just want to know something obscure like: "If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?"

Sunday, December 27, 2009

It is the aftermath of the holiday festivities and time to get organized for the New Year.

Your hope is that there were no causalities in the mountains of wrapping paper: a lost gift card, assembly instructions or the one screw that holds together the brand new toy together. As all those new items begin to make their way to their new home, you realize ... uh, where am I going to put all this stuff?

Now is the perfect moment to look at what you are really using. As you attempt to put your new clothes into your closet or drawers, think about taking out at least 2 older items for each new one. By sorting out a few older items, there will be much more room for your new sweater to fit neatly. All your older not-so-soft-anymore socks will be gone, with space for those new these-are-my-new-favorite socks.

Perhaps you also got some new bath products, so you need to take the time to look through your bathroom cabinets and baskets and let go of those items, too. This also applies to the other areas of your home. Taking the time now to purge through the old to bring in the new will save you stress of working on it later.

It may seem like it is just easier to shove the new in with the old. Frankly, it is ... though only right now. Because later you are going to need to dig through the overstuffed drawers, closets and shelves to find something and that is not easy and it waste your time and energy.

So, take a deep breath,... and slowly let it out.(repeat until you are ready)

Work at letting go of some of the old and getting your new stuff put away neatly and organized. You will feel so much better.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Went from my son's 5 year old birthday party to "I'm having an affair and I want a divorce" the very next morning. My life began spinning out of control.

Hey. I did not sign up for this.Can I get a refund?mulligan?some store credit?Ya' gotta give me something.

Everything seem to be stripped away from me as my ex-husband's affair burst out, through the divorce process and dealing with the aftermath of it all. Like so many newly divorced women, I pretty much felt trampled and at a lost of the future.

That was 5 years ago.

The divorce might have been the best thing I ever did for myself because not only did I gain myself back, life just feels better.

In the past 5 years I have:
-Two amazing young men.We so ROCK!!
-Started our own business(Our = me & my boys)-Jumped off a 50 ft cliff into the ocean in Jamaica
-Spontaneous road trip to Chicago for Christmas (twice)-Travelled the Florida Keys and Cancun, just me and my boys
-My very own 7 piece drum set to jam on
-Solo soul-searching trips to Key Largo and Cancun
-Gone to dozens of concerts including backstage on the Paul Simon tour buses
-Rolled down a mountain in Alaska
-Introduced my boys to the art of road trips: Michigan UP, Cleveland, Mammoth Caves, Louisville, St. Louis, Indy ...
-Journeyed to Australia
-Built homes in Guatemala
-Learned to scuba dive (and dive in 35 degF water)
-Won the Toledo 20 Under 40 Award
-Laid on the white sand bottom at 105 ft below surface
and just listened to my heartbeat in Bonaire
-Regained my friends and made so, so many more
-Created this blog
-Shot a video whose rooster call audio is featured
on Andrew Zuckerman's website
-A beautiful home in a perfect neighborhood
-Realized I am a rocket scientist
-Less money and more freedom

So, if you are in the midst of chaos in your life, rest assured that it is all for the good. Because no matter what happens, it will add to you. I know it pretty much sucks now.

Sorting through a lifetime of items to get favorite pieces into a new, smaller home can be a tricky process for seniors and the families who love them. Angie Weid, owner of Organized Solutions and rocket scientist, knows how to make that transition flow more smoothly for all involved.

With her down-to-earth approach, Angie is a neutral, yet animated guide through the sometimes emotionally-charged situation facing seniors and their adult children as they move. (And with a bachelor's degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, she really is a rocket scientist!)

A member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, Angie says, "I see where the person is and I listen to where they want to be, then I draw the line between the two." Having a professional organizer like Angie moderate the move process can be especially helpful for seniors who are facing medical conditions that limit mobility and energy, those who have accumulated a lot of treasures over the years, or those who have families that live some distance away.

"Life has a way of creating twists... I have no grandparents of my own, so I treat [my senior clients] as if they were my grandparents," says Angie. "We talk. We share our woes. I listen to my client's wishes and needs, and work to make them cometrue."

Based in Temperance, MI, Angie primarily serves clients in Monroe, Lenawee, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties as well as the Toledo, OH area. However, Angie is "always up for organizing adventures" and has traveled as far as Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL to work with clients since opening Organized Solutions in 2004.

In the end, Angie knows she's done her job well for seniors and their families when a client says "Thank you for making my apartment feel like a home."

For more info: Angie Weid, owner of Organized Solutions and rocket scientist, can be reached at (734) 890-1276 or by email at angie@iorganizeyou.com. You can also check out her website, read her blog or find her on Facebook and Twitter. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

Monday, December 14, 2009

"I like your hair.""You make me laugh.""I love your shirt.""You are a good speller.""I like your smile.""You are my best friend.""You're a good person."

These are just a few comments I heard from my son's 3rd grade class as they turned in their homework to another classmate. I stood in awe of these 8-9 year old kids standing in line, looking into the eyes of another kid and complimenting that person in some way before moving on to the next assignment.

One boy took too long, "Sorry, too long. Go to the end of the line," the girl kindly stated. When the boy approached her again he said, "You have very pretty eyes."

WOW!

These kids are practicing a skill that most adults have no clue in how to pay a compliment to each another with the expection of nothing in return.

As adults, we can go days, weeks ... sadly months, without acknowledging someone's hair, skin, eyes or personality for no particular reason except it is the right thing to do.

Imagine the impact you will have on someone as they scan your grocery items and you say something nice to them, "You have a great smile." or "I like your shirt."(sad thing is, they might think your weird or creepy).

Getting past the creep factor ... Now imagine if they were then compelled to do the same to someone else. What if we all started being just a little bit nicer to each other? I don't mean kind and respectful, these are actions that are easy.

I'm thinking we look at each other in our eyes and give a compliment to whom ever we are with. If a bunch of 3rd graders can do this every day turning in their homework, we can certainly do this as we work through our day, too.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

This is a self-quiz about yourself. I came acrossed this a while back, though it is a good reminder of facts we should know about ourselves but likely do not take the time to know them (does that make sense?).

NEXT....Items that are good to know about yourself1. Ring size...OK, this is for us ladies. Guys what would you substitute?2. Your correct tax form3. Money or items to be inherited4. Clothing measurements...always good to give and receive clothing that fits5. Blood type ... me, A+

FINALLY ... Fun things to know about yourself1. 3 ways to make you smile when down2. Strengths and weaknesses3. Know how to give good directions to your home4. What time were you born? ... hey, everyone needs a precise astrological chart.5. Names of the trees and bushes in your yard ... visitors will think you are clever6. Your mom's/mother-in-law's/best friend's favorite flower.

Take the time and find out some info on yourself.Write these things down. You never know when this stuff could be useful.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

"I want to purge "The Basement." When can you come to Chicago? I need you here," "Alicia" wrote to me hoping I could make a road trip to Chicago for some organizing fun. Always up for an organizing adventure, I was happy to make the journey.

Like so many other famous paloozas, it's all about having a great time ... a party, you might say (who knew there's a SPAM-a-Palooza?).

"Basementpalooza" is the title Alicia gave her organizing project. Her basement is a large spare room in her apartment, not a true basement, though she nicknamed it "The Basement" because that's how she treated it - a place to toss and stack stuff she really didn't know what to do with.

Alicia had every intention of getting her "basement"organized though just could not get the party started with it. Many times just continued to add to the piles and bins because it was just easier than dealing with it.

The time had come for this all to stop. She was tired of climbing over bins and moving piles to get to items. With the music cranked up, we went to work sorting and organizing.

We began looking through the bins of papers and books that Alicia had been storing for years which she moved from one home to another.

Two 90 gallon recycle bins filled with paper later, we moved onto her collection of books. Only her best and favorite ones were left on her shelves, all others were loaded into her car for resale and donation.

Alicia's clothes were next on the organizing tasks. Her dresser drawers were emptied, one by one, and all items no longer working for Alicia were bagged up for donation. We continued through her closets, sorting clothes, purses and shoes.

Finally we ended up with designated areas for her office supplies, grad school references, travel literature, holiday decorations, photos and personal memorabilia. Alicia's clothes and books were trimmed down so she no longer felt overwhelmed when she stepped into this room. We even got her bedroom decluttered and organized for a much more peaceful night's sleep.

Alicia wrote me a note that just makes me smile, part of it read:"I really do feel like I have a new lease on life - just knowing that the basement (or room formerly known as basement) is cleared out makes me feel like I have so much more freedom and potential to do what I have been wanting to do, reach for my dreams, relax, enjoy life and be truly me!"

To help bring someone back to themselves is priceless. I truly love helping make a positive difference in peoples lives. Alicia was always there, just got a little lost. So glad she is back on track for fun and happiness with an "awesomely organized room formerly known as the basement."

If you're feeling overwhelmed and just down-right bummed about your home, you can do something about it.Get some music playing, few bags and boxes on hand and begin your own Organizingpalooza. It all starts with that first item you pick up and place in the bag.

Monday, November 30, 2009

Abec's Small Business Review is a publication that shares the inspiring stories of small business owners.

This month yours truly is featured in the Toledo edition(yeah ... happy dance with me):

Organized Solutionsby Jessica Luther

Angie Weid hasn’t let the obstacles in her life hold her back. Her inspiration behind her business, Organized Solutions, was always about helping people while maintaining a healthy life for herself. Raised in Monroe, Michigan, Angie was always interested in science and math as a child.

“When I was starting college, my mom reminded me that as a child, I always wanted to be an astronaut,” she recalled. “At four months old, she held me up to watch the moon landing.”

Angie did in fact pursue a career that followed this early calling, studying aeronautical and astronautical engineering at Purdue University. She graduated in 1991, and went to work for Ford Motor Company in Dearborn. She worked on designing engine components and bumpers, which meant, to her delight, that she got to crash a lot of cars. Despite loving her job, Angie began a painful period of her life just five weeks after starting at Ford. She was diagnosed with Stage Four Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and had to begin chemotherapy for the very serious form of cancer. “I went from a cocky 22-year-old to a stubborn 22-year-old with cancer,” she joked. “I refused to throw up during chemo treatments and I took cold showers to make sure I didn’t lose my hair.”

This fighting spirit and strong will got her through, and today she is free of the disease. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last of her battles. After eight years at Ford, she left to raise her two sons, eventually becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom. Angie loved that job as well, and poured everything into her children, husband and home. It was that much more of a shock, when her husband announced he was having an affair and wanted a divorce.

During this tumultuous time, Angie decided she had enough of feeling bad. She had a good old-fashioned pity party. Walking into the woods where she and her children often played with a notepad and pen, Angie began to write all she had accomplished, beginning with “I can walk.” After a bit of a chuckle, and three pages later, it became clear to Angie she still had a zest for life. If she was going to start anew, she wanted do something fun that would help people enjoy life. She shared her business ideas with friends and family, who thought it was perfect for her. Organized Solutions was born.

“I help people love their space,” she explained. “I help them work on de-cluttering and letting go of things.”

The first year was a struggle, without a client for eight months; Organized Solutions only earned around $600 in its first year. However, thanks to networking, referrals, her blog and website, Angie’s business has grown consistently since. She was approached by Staples to review a product line, featured on Rubbermaid’s website in a professional organizer Q and A, and recently won Toledo’s “20 Under 40” award.

Angie works with many professional women trying to do it all, and helps anyone who needs to regain control over their space. She focuses also on senior move management, which involves helping families settle aging family members into new, safer spaces. Moving from a house to an apartment certainly requires organization, and that is where Angie brings her expertise. She also offers her services to those who have lost loved ones, and aids in the process of clearing out a lifetime of stuff.

“I do it all, from making arrangements with movers, to packing and unpacking, to making beds and finding toothbrushes,” she listed her variety of services. “If people are from out of town, I will even find them the best pizza place.”

She also has worked with serious hoarders, people who are receiving counseling for their condition. She offers her help to anyone who wants to be helped, and understands that what she does can be a very emotional experience.

“It’s a very personal and private area, no one likes their stuff touched,” she explained. “But I get hugged almost everyday, even by those who are upset at first, because I’m making someone a home that feels good to them.”

If you found this story interesting, informative or inspiring please let Angie know! You may contact Organized Solutions at 419-705-0557, or at 734-890-1276, email angie@iorganizeyou.com, or visit her blog, iorganizeyou.blogspot.com or website, www.iorganizeyou.com.

Thank you to Patrick Abec and Jessica Luther for putting together the story of Organized Solutions.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Feng Shui and organizing are good partners because they both are about feeling better about your surroundings. Ann Bingley Gallops, a Feng Shui expert in fabulous New York City recently posted on her blog, The Joy of Chi, this fabulous exercise for kick starting the energy in your space. With her permission, here is Ann's Feng Shui trick:

The Magic of 27 ThingsDo you occasionally feel absolutely stuck, like you don’t know what to do next or how to get out of your own way?

Feng Shui has a simple yet surprisingly effective method for getting you unstuck: just go around your space and move 27 things.

You can pick each thing up and put it down in place, or move things around, or best of all pick up 27 pieces of clutter and move them into the trash.

I just used this strategy to get myself going on a logy-feeling Monday.

I began by just picking things up and putting them back down, but before I knew it was on a roll, putting things away, throwing things out, and easily touching 27 items in no time flat.

It was fun to count to 27 (a powerful Yang number in Feng Shui) and when I was done I felt really refreshed — my Chi energy was moving.

Start picking up some items around your space and stir up some new found energy. Let us know how you felt when you reached item #27.

Monday, November 16, 2009

With the holiday frenzy quickly approaching, now is an excellent time to organize and declutter your kitchen. Just like sorting through the clothing in your closet, your kitchen needs a good once over.

Your kitchen is THE most used room in your home and it is used by everyone. Even if you are not an Iron Chef (perhaps more like Dan Aykroyd's Julia Child), your kitchen will get overstuffed like a turkey with pots, pans and dishes if you do not take the time to purge.

Like all organizing projects, you want to break your kitchen organizing extravaganza down into small tasks. Work on completing one set of cabinets or drawers before moving on to the next set. If you are feeling tired, then stop and take a break. You do not want to get worn out and frustrated.

Remove everything out of the drawer or cabinet you are organizing. After removing all the little crumbs and such that seems to have moved into this space, begin placing those items that you are using, and love, back into their place. You will have some stuff that seems to have drifted into the wrong place, just place those items in the area they are suppose to be.

Left over on your counter top or table will be a collection of items that have worn out their welcome in your home. If they are damage or missing pieces, their fate is not good and do not belong in your home. Those items that are perfectly good, just have lost their purpose in your home, need to be boxed up and readied for donation.

Take your time.

If you feel organizing the whole kitchen in one day may be too much, break it into small sections that you can manage to accomplish. You will be so thankful in the end that you took the time to get your kitchen organized. It is remarkable how much better a space can feel by parting with a few items that are no longer needed.

With a brand spanking shiny clean cabinets, your kitchen will feel amazing. Perhaps now you will feel like becoming an Iron Chef with those holiday festivites approaching.

Friday, November 06, 2009

One of the hardest steps to getting organized is starting.The best way to start a project is make an appointment with yourself.

That's right.Set some time for YOURSELF

Block off some time on your calendar and stick to it. Make it happen

On your organizing day, the next tough hurdle approaches: the first item to let go. The first piece of clothing, childhood memory or knick-knack from Aunt Betty is the toughest one to part with. After you get that first one "in the bag," the rest will be much easier.

Use your momentum to keep going.

Finish your appointment with yourself and schedule a follow-up to tackle the next area to be organized.

One of my favorite quotes:

"Do or do not ... there is no try"-Yoda, Jedi Master

Reward yourself for completing your organizing projects as scheduled. Take a 2 minute longer shower, have a piece of cheesecake, buy a new shirt ... heck, have a beer in a martini glass.

Do something for YOURSELF that makes you feelrockin' awesome!!

After all, you always wanted to be organized and look at the what you are doing now.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Life does not have to be more complicated than it was years ago. We make life more complicated by our demands and needs. Once the basics for life shelter, food and water are met, then you've got friends and family (and yeah, family can complicate things). It's all the other stuff that makes life zip past us in a flash.

I believe in enjoying the moment, and will stop in a heartbeat for a great laugh, appreciate an amazing sunset or climb a tree. When my boys recognize a beautiful flower or a dragon shaped cloud, I beam with pride because I do not want them lost in the world of headphones, cellphones, and looking at the ground as you walk around all day.

Here is a story I recently found:

Perception

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.

Monday, November 02, 2009

It's early in the morning. Your fumbling through your underwear and socks trying to find the pair that you want. Hoping not to end up running out of your home with one blue sock and one black sock. (yeah, I've done that)

Next to getting up 15 minutes earlier and turning on the light so you can see clearly, these drawer organizers are the next best solution. Bonus: They are on special this month!!

These are one of my favorite items from Clever Container. The Drawer Designers are a fun tool to meet all your organizing needs. You'll feel like an organizing pro as you quickly find your favorite underwear, bra and socks in a flash. (oh yeah, we all have our favorite ones)

You can purchase this awesome combo set of organizers for only $20.00 when you purchase $35.00 or more in regularly priced Clever Container merchandise. Check out the Clever Container catalog and see all the other fun organizing options available!

Drawer Designers can be used in most drawers, but try them in your pantry, bathroom, playroom and even your refrigerator! Combo consists of 3 small (12x4x3), 2 medium (12x6x3) and 1 large (12x12x3) box!

Interested in a home organizing session with a group of friends?Let me know and we'll get you on the schedule. This is a great way to learn some organizing tips & tricks while earning rewards toward your Clever Container products. You'll have a great time getting organized.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Timing could not have been more perfect, since I was having one of those "woe is me" single mom moments. If you've been a single mom, you know what I'm talking about.

Here are the questions:

1) How long have you been a professional organizer?Wow! It was officially 5 years this past September, though my friends and family say I’ve been doing it my whole life.

2) What inspired you to become a professional organizer?After my career as an engineer at a major auto company, I became a mom and love raising my boys. Life has a way creating twists and unexpectedly found myself divorced. Feeling I was spirally downward, I had a good old fashion pity party. Walking into the woods with a notepad and pen, I began to write all that I had accomplished, beginning with “I can walk.” After a bit of a chuckle, and three pages later, it was clear I love the fun of life. Thought if I was going to start anew, let’s do something fun and help people enjoy life. I shared my business idea with my friends and family who thought it was perfect for me.

3) What is the most common organizing project you’re hired to do?There are two that stand out. The woman whose home has slowly become cluttered and needs help getting it back on track. We talk about how her home ideally should look and feel to come up with a plan to get it there and maintain it. The other project is helping families downsize their loved ones as a senior move manager. Maintaining the peace amongst family members during this transition can be tricky. Success is when the loved one turns to me and says, “Thank you for making my apartment feel like a home.”

4) What is the most common organizing challenge people have?The one that pops into my head first is letting go of things that have lost purpose in their lives. At one time, we all have enjoyed every item we have ever owned. There does come a time when your favorite blouse is worn out, your daughter’s amazing first grade artwork is crumbling, family photos are fading and then there is that gift you received from your mom that you just never used. Helping people recognized that their items have served their purpose and it is time to let them go can be a challenge, though the smile on their faces when they sense it’s OK. Priceless.

5) If you had to pick ‘your’ biggest organizing challenge, what would it be?I’m a single mom, raising two amazing boys, running a business, driving to soccer practice that constantly seems to hear, “Mom, I’m hungry.” My home is constantly drifting toward chaos. Maintaining some balance in my life can be a challenge. I recognize when we must take time and get our home back in shape. Being organized just doesn’t happen, it takes work. Even for this professional organizer.

6) What one tips would you give to people who are trying to get organized?Set a date on your calendar. If the project is not written down, chances are it will not happen. Once you’ve got your date, do not make the project too big. Better to start with a drawer or shelf, enjoy success and move on to the next part. Getting organized does take time please be patient with yourself and you will be successful.

7) Are you really a rocket scientist?With B.S. in Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University … yeah, I really am a rocket scientist. Getting organized is not “rocket science” but it sure makes you feel better about your space.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ever start working on a project, only to find yourself an hour or so later in a completely different room and frustrated that you didn't have the time to finished what you set out to do.(whew! long, run-on sentence).

Well here's a little trick that will help keep you on task. The incredible, non-edible, egg timer. DING!

Say you decide you are going to sort out your closet and you begin to pullout all your clothes and lay them on your bed. You find your daughter's toy in there and take it to her room. While in her room, you see her clothes are scattered all over the floor. You pick them up and take them into the laundry room. We'll you mind as well start up a load. mmmm ... as you walk past the kitchen you have the munchies and have a little snack. Your phone rings and your best friend asks, "Whatcha up to?"(This reminds me of the book "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.") Well you were organizing your closet about an hour ago, now you're pretty much fed up with the project because it just never seems to get finished. Try using a good old fashioned egg timer to keep yourself on track.

There are all sorts of shapes, colors and sizes. The key is that your timer makes some sort of noise. Hey, there's even "an app for that" (for iPhone app click here).

Now with your egg timer set for say 15 minutes, begin your project. If the timer goes off an you are still working, EXCELLENT! Reset you timer and continue. If your timer goes off and you are in the kitchen having a munchie, time to get back on task.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Gotta make a confession here.You may be surprised, then again, maybe not. Like the plumber with leaky pipes and the personal trainer that eats McDonalds, professional organizers are not necessarily the most organized people.

Check out my desk:

This may not seem too bad, though I gotta tell ya it's dragging me down and something's has to be done. It's dusty. Little notes and receipts scattered about. Print outs and faxes that need to be filed. Bills to be paid. Literature and brochures that need should be tossed.

Lately when I come into my office, I just feel blah. Unmotivated to get going. Thought to myself this morning with a little chuckle the famous saying, "Do as I say, not as I do."

So, yes, some professional organizers do NOT have every piece of their lives together (my hand is raised high). Everyone's life gets out of whack and needs to be brought back into check. When you start to feel like life is getting grumpy on you, then you need to make a change.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Organizing is not always about decluttering, purging, tossing, screaming and sorting. Our wonderful friends at Wikipedia define organizing as the act of rearranging elements following one or more rules. Rules? ... there are no rules listed, I'm not aware of "organizing rules?!"

Anything is considered organized when it looks like everything has a correct order of placement. But it's only ultimately organized if any element has no difference on time taken to find it. In that sense, organizing can also be defined as to place different objects in logical arrangement for better searching.

Taking your space and optimizing it for better searching ... that is how organizing should be thought. This way if your space is organized, you end up saving time and effort searching for your wonderful stuff. Best part ... there are no rules.

Your closet may be very well organized (see left picture). Though optimizing the space by adding a shelf above your existing one ... boom baby! Items on the floor can be stored off the floor and you have gained more storage space without losing any (right picture). Sweet!

Take a tour through your home and jot down a few thoughts as you pass through each room. Look at how you can possibly use your space more efficiently. Chances are you can. I know of places in my own home that need to be tweeked. Break those ideas down into smaller projects and schedule them on your calendar.

Get one project done and you will feel better about your space.Heck, maybe you'll end up doing another.

Friday, October 09, 2009

Starting to get that thick, coating medicine taste in the back of my throat.First I got a flavor of organizing with my own garage.Now, I'm moving my own mother. (serenity now ... serenity now)

Helping families move and downsize their homes is something I do all the time. As a senior move manager, becoming the leader in orchestrating the transition for the family to have their loved ones living in a new home is something I truly enjoy. Taking the stress and conflict out of the moving process.

Well, that is until it's my own mother (who I love very dearly).

Buttons are pushed, dramatics are played out and tensions rise.Aaahhh!

Family dynamics are a crazy thing, having experienced a bit of frustration, eye-rolling, digressing to being a 10 year old chastised over not putting my toys away. When working with your parents, in a flash your parents forget you are an adult and you forget your parents are struggling with little loss of independence. Maintaining a calm and non-eye-rolling front can become quite a challenge.

All went well in the end. Mom is settling into her new home and I have a new found appreciation for the role of senior move managers. If you are looking for some help in moving your loved ones, check out the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) for a listing of people in your area that can help.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

"Mike" pulls into his garage after a long day at the office. Like every night, crawls out of his car, cleans up and gets his dinner started. He's tired and mentally drained from business meetings.

Mike began thinking he wants his garage more organized, just not sure what to do. It has 50 year old cinderblock walls that are kinda dungeony (its my word, I made it up) looking. After some late night browsing he came across my garage make-over.

"THAT'S IT!"

He immediately contacted me about the pegboard organizing walls I installed in my garage. The pegboard would clean up the walls, giving them a shining new look with loads of options to hang tools and supplies. All of this happiness could be achieved in under $50 for material costs. SWEET!

Mike is now supercharged when he pulls into his garage. The shiny walls have inspired him to refinish the workbench top. He's having fun getting all sorts of hooks and clips for the pegboard walls and arranging his tools for quick, easy access. Best of all, Mike feels awesome when he gets home from work, and that makes me happy, too.